Boulder voters overwhelmingly approved a five-year extension of the city's innovative carbon tax and a 20-year extension of its 0.25 percent sales tax for parks and recreation.

The extension of the Climate Action Plan tax, or carbon tax, on energy use allows the city to continue a suite of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that officials say are critical to continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

With 64 percent counted as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday out of an estimated 173,890 ballots cast countywide, 82 percent of city voters favored extending the CAP tax, and 17.9 percent opposed it.

"It's really heartening to see that Boulderites supported it so heavily, which keeps Boulder in the forefront of the world with the actions we're taking," Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum said. "It allows us to continue as a model for other communities in terms of programs that are cost-effective and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are just a good return on investment."

First approved by voters in 2006, the Climate Action Plan tax on utilities generates around $1.9 million for the city. The tax rate varies by usage and sector. The average annual cost to residents is $21. The average annual cost to businesses is $94, and for industrial customers, it's $9,600.

City Manager Jane Brautigam said in a news release that the results confirm the community's commitment to the environment.

"The Boulder community has once again proven its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change," Brautigam said. "Boulder remains a strong steward of the environment, and I'm proud of our city for being a leader in the region, the state and the nation."

The tax pays for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy programs, including rebates, credits and "energy audits" for homeowners and businesses.

The tax, which generated $7.1 million in 2012 for parks and recreation, wouldn't have expired until 2015. However, city officials wanted to put it on the ballot this year to provide more stability for budget planning. The tax will now expire in 2035.

The 0.25 percent sales tax contributes 27 percent of the parks department's budget. Possible uses of the tax include development of the southern part of Valmont City Park, athletic field improvements, neighborhood park improvements and recreation center upgrades, as well as maintenance of existing facilities.

City voters also gave their approval to two charter amendments, one of which will allow the city to offer 30-year rather than 20-year leases to community institutions that rent public property. Organizations such as the Boulder Municipal Airport, the Colorado Chautauqua Association, the Dairy Center for the Arts, A Spice of Life Event Center and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art have said being restricted to 20-year leases makes long-term financing difficult.

The Boulder alt-country band gives its EPs names such as Death and Resurrection, and its songs bear the mark of hard truths and sin. But the punk energy behind the playing, and the sense that it's all in good fun, make it OK to dance to a song like "Death." Full Story